Singapore continues to advance its ambitious "City in a Garden" vision, with approximately 20% of its land dedicated to parks, gardens, and secondary forests as of August 2025. The "OneMillionTrees" movement, aiming to plant a million new trees by 2030, is actively enhancing biodiversity and improving air quality across the island nation. However, rapid urbanization presents challenges such as habitat fragmentation and increased wildlife roadkill. To address these, Singapore is strategically implementing wildlife bridges and green corridors, demonstrating a proactive approach to ecological connectivity. The nation is also exploring AI for optimizing urban open spaces as part of its forward-thinking strategy to balance development and nature.
Despite these advancements, rising urban heat remains a significant hurdle, with Singapore's temperatures increasing at twice the global average rate. This phenomenon is exacerbated by the urban heat island (UHI) effect, where built-up areas retain more heat due to materials like concrete and asphalt, intensified by dense urban layouts and a lack of natural cooling mechanisms. Studies indicate temperature differences of up to 7°C between urban and less developed areas, with the UHI effect being most pronounced at night. The "OneMillionTrees" movement, launched in March 2020, is progressing ahead of schedule, with over 600,000 trees planted by November 2023, and the goal anticipated to be met by 2027. This initiative is crucial for mitigating climate change impacts and enhancing ecological connectivity. To further combat urban heat, Singapore is intensifying greenery and employing strategies like cool paint. The city-state is also prioritizing the integration of nature into urban environments, boosting energy efficiency, and enhancing green infrastructure to build resilience against climate change and improve residents' well-being. Initiatives like the Eco-Link@BKE, an ecological corridor, have significantly reduced roadkill for species like the Sunda pangolin by over 90%, showcasing the tangible benefits of green infrastructure in maintaining wildlife populations amidst urban development. Singapore's commitment to greening extends to industrial estates, with plans for extensive tree planting and new green spaces, embedding nature further into the urban fabric through a holistic approach to urban planning.